Tag Archives: Soledad O’Brien

“Black & Latino” with Milian and More

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Christina Milian and other Afro-Latino celebrities are sharing their uniquely bicultural stories with the world…

The 30-year-old singer/actress, who will be serving as the new Social Media Correspondent for NBC’s The Voice, will appear in mun2’s web original Black and Latino, which aims to shine a light on an important yet often misrepresented segment of the US Latino population.

Christina Milian

Along with Milian, other celebrities, musicians and journalists of African heritage appearing in the web documentary are actor Laz Alonso, actress Tatyana Ali and journalist Soledad O’Brien, who relate their own previously untold experiences of working through the unreasonable constraints of stereotypes in both Hispanic and mainstream culture.

“It was kind of like a dual existence because outside of my house I would be just an African-American guy,” says Alonso, who recently appeared in Jumping the Broom. “But once I got home, I was Cuban again.”

Other interviews include The Voice season one winner Javier Colon, actresses Gina Torres and Judy Reyes, pop singer Kat de Luna and music video director Jessy Terrero.

“As part of our commitment to reflecting the diversity and dynamism of US Latino identity, we are honored to share these provocative and poignant stories of celebrities who live and work at the intersection of so many cultures,” says Jose Marquez, Telemundo and mun 2’s VP Interactive Strategy, Telemundo and mun2.

The short, made-for-web documentary also features man-on-the-street interviews with Generation Y Latinos who provide a refreshingly nuanced understanding of race and identity in contemporary America.

Click here to check out mun2’s Black and Latino.

O’Brien’s “Starting Point” Launching Next Week

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Starting next week, you’ll have the chance to wake up with Soledad O’Brien.

Starting Point, the 45-year-old half-Cuban journalist’s brand new morning show on CNN, will launch on Monday, January 2. It will air weekdays from 7:00-9:00 am.

Soledad O'Brien

CNN had previously confirmed rumors that the network was planning to revamp its morning lineup, with O’Brien and Ashleigh Banfield at the top of the list of anchors predicted to be a part of the new early morning schedule.

Meanwhile, Zoraida Sambolin will co-host Early Start with Banfield. The show will run right before O’Brien’s Starting point from 5:00-7:00 am.

Sambolin is a former early morning news anchor from Chicago, while Banfield is a former ABC News co-anchor.

The news comes as CNN is hoping to break through the morning show clutter dominated by the Today show, Good Morning America as well as Fox & Friends and Morning Joe.

O’Brien Returning to Morning TV?

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It looks like you could be waking up to Soledad O’Brien in the morning…

CNN is looking to unveil a new morning lineup, according to the New York Times, which could result in the 45-year-old half-Cuban journalist’s return to morning television. The cable network’s plans would mean the end of its current American Morning program, which has performed poorly in the ratings.

The new morning schedule, which could be revealed as early as this week, would see O’Brien, one of CNN’s former morning presenters and the current host of the network’s “In America” documentary unit, anchor from 7:00 am to 9:00 am on weekdays.

Former ABC News correspondent Ashleigh Banfield, would co-anchor with another presenter from 5:00 am to 7:00 am. One possible sidekick:

According to the Times, one co-anchor possibility is Zoraida Sambolin. She’s a Latina journalist who formerly anchored the early morning newscast at Chicago’s NBC station before announcing her move to CNN.

CNN declined to comment on possible changes, the Times said.

American Morning has consistently struggled in the ratings against NBC’s Today show and ABC’s Good Morning America, as well as Fox & Friends and Morning Joe on CNN’s cable news competitors. The morning lineup has also underperformed against Morning Express With Robin Meade on CNN own sister channel HLN.

George Lopez Named An All-Star…

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Mexican-American comedian & actor George Lopez will receive the 2011 ADCOLOR All-Star Award later this month. The 50-year-old Latin superstar is being recognized for his work as a philanthropist and pioneer in the entertainment industry.

“The ADCOLOR Industry Coalition is proud to honor George Lopez for his body of work as a comedian, actor and television host and we are equally proud to recognize him for his work as a philanthropist whose foundation works to help transform the lives of those in need,” says Tiffany R. Warren, Founder of The ADCOLOR Industry Coalition and The ADCOLOR Awards and Industry Conference and senior vice president, chief diversity officer for Omnicom Group Inc.

Other 2011 honorees include filmmaker Spike Lee and Dan Wieden, co-founder & CE of Wieden + Kennedy. They’ll both receive the Catalyst Award for their work as advertising agency pioneers.

Additionally, GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) will present an ADCOLOR Advocate Award for the first time in recognition of industry influencers from the LGBT community to two industry pioneers: Laurence Boschetto, president and CEO of Draftfcb and Aaron Walton, co-founder of Walton | Isaacson.

Past honorees include TV host Cristina Saralegui, activist, entrepreneur and “father of hip-hop” Russell Simmons, businessman and former NBA champion Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Queen Latifah, multi-platinum recording artist and award-winning actress.

Hundreds of the most talented influencers, tastemakers and rising stars are expected to attend the two-day event, which will include a special presentation by CNN’s Soledad O’Brienand a performance by NBC’s “Sing Off” season two winners. The 2011 ADCOLOR Awards and Industry Conference will be held in Los Angeles on September 16-17, 2011.